We were lucky to catch up with Danielle Sims recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Danielle, thank you so much for making time for us today. Let’s jump right into a question so many in our community are looking for answers to – how to overcome creativity blocks, writer’s block, etc. We’d love to hear your thoughts or any advice you might have.
One thing to remember is everyone gets stuck. It’s a completely normal human emotion and feeling. None of us can constantly be going and doing without some sort of rest every now and again. Recently I have started working on a mindset shift that has really helped fuel my creativity and overall my productivity. As a busy wife and mom of three extremely active children it is easy to get stuck in the thought that my business will never be more than a hobby or even a small side hustle. I know that there are people out there killing it with their side hustles – but I want more. I don’t want just something that brings in small amounts of passive income – I want to build an empire. I want DlpDesigned to be a brand that is known and recognized for beautiful, unique, handmade beaded jewelry. I can’t accomplish that with a hobby way of thinking. I needed more. So – I changed things up.
I needed a change of scenery in order to change my perspective.I have a small space in our house that I call my studio. It is basically a sunroom type of situation that we repurposed into my work space. It was never very functional though. After clearing it out and buying functional furniture that also elevates the beauty of the space – it is like stepping into my own DlpDesigned oasis. The amount of work and productivity that has happened since the shift is amazing. I have accomplished more in those few weeks then months prior – and I am so happy I made the shift. It really helped me overcome a creative and mental block about the future and direction of my business.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the jewelry designer and creative mind behind DlpDesigned. I am a one woman show – from creator to photographer to social media manager to admin – I do it all. I spend the majority of my time beading and creating the beautiful jewelry you see on my website. I am active in craft shows and they fuel my soul. I love the entire process, from set up to tear down. But my favorite part is watching my customers’ eyes light up when they see my jewelry. I have so many customers come to my booth and say things like “No one carries jewelry that fits me.” “I have an allergy so I can’t wear most things.” “I can not find the right color to match my dress for my son’s wedding” – but guess what? Those are things I can help with. Everything I create is customizable – from the size, to the materials I use to the color choices. That is what makes my brand so special – my flexibility and creativity to help meet people’s needs.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
One of the biggest skills I have that has gotten me to where I am today with my business is my people skills. As a child my mother used to say I have never met a stranger and that holds true today. But it goes further than that. I don’t approach people as potential customers – I approach them as potential friends. I think that is a very big difference between me and other brands. I do not push my sales – I talk about my jewelry and what sets it apart while getting to know the individual standing in front of me. We can all relate to each other on some level – our past, future goals, current life dynamics, etc. I feel that getting to know people is the first step in creating lifelong customers who feel more like friends.
The second skill that every aspiring beaded jewelry designer needs to succeed is two fold – you either need to be able to read a pattern or follow a YouTube video. There are millions of different tutorials out there – and not all of them are in languages I can read or understand. However, being able to follow the pictures in the pattern has saved me more than once. It is the best way to learn – and if reading patterns aren’t working, try a YouTube video. The most important part of all of it is to not give up. There is a way to learn just about anything you want – just find what works for you and understand that it might change over time.
The third skill that I have only recently started diving into is managing my own website. Back in November I redid my entire website – changing hosting services and everything. I started from scratch and it was an eye opening and humbling experience. I clearly had no idea what I was doing. However I battled through it and I am proud of how it looks and functions. Since I understand the nuances and inner workings I update it more frequently and with less frustration then before. I am by no means a technical expert, but I learn a little more every time.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am always looking for people to collaborate with! There are two areas in particular within my business that I am looking to expand. I currently work with a modeling agency where I create one of a kind items for their photo shoots. I love the kind of creative freedom this partnership allows me. I would love to expand this and work with other modeling agencies as well as fashion designers. One of my biggest goals as a brand is to have a DlpDesigned original piece walk the red carpet. I can not even begin to tell you how much that thought excites me!
The other area I would love to expand is the wholesale side of my business. I currently have about a half dozen or so boutiques or small businesses that I design jewelry for. I love being a small business that helps supply other small businesses! One of my favorite parts about working with boutiques or small business owners is watching their vision come to life. The majority of the owners I deal with already have a pretty good idea about what their target market would love – they just don’t know how to create it themselves. We work together to create their ideal product – and I love watching them sell out!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.dlpdesigned.com
- Instagram: @dlpdesigned
- Facebook: https://Www.facebook.com/dlpdesigned
Image Credits
Personal Photo – Sandra King
Model Photos – Rylee Chamberlain
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
